Kozhikode: The label says police Sub-Inspector but the status is in name alone, not in power. The situation of the grade SIs in the state whose authority to inspect vehicles was also recently revoked. They are forced to do the work assigned by regular SIs which they term to be quite stressful. In India, the system of grade status exists in Kerala alone.

Earlier, those promoted to ASI rank from SI were given independent charge in stations. This was later changed to regular SIs. This norm is now discontinued and now the inspector is given charge of the station.

It was in 2014 when K.S Balasubramanian was the DGP that an order with clear guidelines was issued regarding grade SIs. It stated that those in grade positions have to work as per the instructions given by the Principal SI or the station in-charge.

Main duties include maintaining law and order, prevention of crime, arrest of those against whom warrant is issued, enforcement of court summons, escort of prisoners, guard duty, guarding of public and private property and other day-to-day activities assigned by superior officers. 

If a grade SI does the job to be done by an SI, it will be interpreted as an abuse of power. The court will not accept if a charge sheet in a drug case is filed by a grade SI. There is no clear order from the government to resolve such discrepancies. The police demand a decision in this regard.

State general secretary of Kerala police officers association C.R Biju said that all the positions and authority given to police officers are for public service and that the defects within the same should be rectified. The state president of Kerala Police association, S.R Shino Das said that work should be allotted on the basis of ranks.

Grading is calculated based on service

A grade is given to Civil police officer (CPO), senior civil police officer (SPCO), assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and sub-inspector (SI) based on fixed service period. The order to implement grade posts was issued on June 2, 2006.

In the first phase, SI grade was given to those who completed 30 years of service and were eligible for promotion. It was 23 years of service for ASI and 15 years for SCPO. Later the tenure for grade status was reduced to 25 years for SI, 20 for ASI and 12 for SCPO.